Gran Turismo 4 - PS2 - Preview 2

Combine 30,000-50,000 photos of courses, 150-200 photographs of
automobiles, and sound from both the engine and exhaust sampled at 1,000 rpm
intervals and what do you have?

Gran Turismo 4, the latest in the line of the GT series of race
games for the PlayStation2 from SCEA and Polyphony Digital Inc.

The title was showcased at Sony Gamers Day 2003 in San Francisco
Tuesday, but more than just a cursory glance, this was a full-on demonstration
replete with hands-on driving time.

While the game is still slated for launch in Summer 2004, it is
very evident that Sony is excited about this title, and with good reason.
Consider first the improvements to the series embodied in this title. The AI has
been tweaked to allow for more human-like behavior.

The game features a new physics engine which boosts the level of
realism, and also improves the handling. This, in turn, allows for tighter
courses. This represents the first control adjustment in the history of the
series.

There are more than 50 courses available, more than 500 cars,
and each vehicle contains more than 4,000 polygons. All vehicles are fully
customizable, and the opponent AI in single-player mode has an improved AI to
replicate more human-like emotion. Crowds that were static in previous
incarnations come alive in GT4.

Visually, GT4 is one of the most realistic driving simulations
found anywhere. From the reflective surfaces of the vehicles to dynamic lighting
and shadows, to distant environments and skies that are photo-realistic, this
game is represents eye candy to the extreme. The course through New York is
awash with neon signs and represents the way the area of the course through
downtown actually looks.

The sound is subtly amazing. Anything less would have stood out
immediately, but this game sounds so authentic as to almost be taken for granted
in the audio department.

But the real joy of GT4 is the driving. Ok, you can’t really
hurt these cars, but who would want to? It is enough to journey through the
history of the automobile, driving classic muscle cars or strapping in behind
the wheel of racing vehicles, without having them bend and break as you slam
into a barricade at 121 miles per hour after failing to negotiate that sharp
90-degree turn in New York City.

In spite of the improved handling, GT4 is still a solid
challenge. Sony had handheld console gamepads hooked into several machines and
it took a light touch to keep the car on course. Logitech wheels with pedals
were hooked up to other network games and while the force feedback was
definitely a nice feature, this was not much easier to control.

And there lies the lesson about GT4. With the tight corners on
the tracks, it is not always the speed that matters, but rather the control.
This is a game where handling matters most.

Gran Turismo 4 has quite a legacy to live up to. The original
title sold more than 3.8 million units; GT2 had sales of 3.5 million units; and
GT3 sold almost 5 million units. But based on the look and feel of GT4, those
other titles will be relegated to also-rans. Simply stated, GT4 is an amazing
ride.